AWS Cognito is a powerful user identity and authentication service that allows developers to manage and authenticate users for their applications. When dealing with a large user base, filtering capabilities become essential. One common requirement is to filter users based on multiple criteria, such as email and user status.
In this article, we will explore how to implement multi-condition filtering using the ListUsersCommand in AWS Cognito with Node.js, including examples, analyses, and solutions to common pitfalls.
Understanding the Problem
As shared by a user on Stack Overflow, the initial attempt to filter users by both email and status did not yield the desired results. Here’s the code snippet they provided:
const client = new CognitoIdentityProviderClient(<config>);
const inputForFetchUserList = {
Filter: `'email'= '[email protected]' and 'cognito:user_status' = 'FORCE_CHANGE_PASSWORD'`,
UserPoolId: <UserPoolId>, //required
Limit: 5,
};
const commandForFetchUserList = new ListUsersCommand(inputForFetchUserList);
const cognitoListUsersResponse = await client.send(commandForFetchUserList);
The user aims to filter a list of users based on their email and their status as 'FORCE_CHANGE_PASSWORD'.
Why Didn't it Work?
The issue arises from how the filter string is constructed. In AWS Cognito, filters must adhere to specific syntax. The usage of single quotes around the attribute names is incorrect. Instead, attribute names should be enclosed in double quotes, and the values should be enclosed in single quotes.
Correct Implementation
Here's the corrected version of the code snippet that demonstrates how to filter users by both email and status properly:
const { CognitoIdentityProviderClient, ListUsersCommand } = require('@aws-sdk/client-cognito-identity-provider');
const client = new CognitoIdentityProviderClient(<config>);
const inputForFetchUserList = {
Filter: `"email" = '[email protected]' and "cognito:user_status" = 'FORCE_CHANGE_PASSWORD'`,
UserPoolId: <UserPoolId>, //required
Limit: 5,
};
const commandForFetchUserList = new ListUsersCommand(inputForFetchUserList);
const cognitoListUsersResponse = await client.send(commandForFetchUserList);
Breakdown of the Changes
-
Double Quotes Around Attribute Names: The filter string now uses double quotes for attribute names (
"email"and"cognito:user_status"), which is the correct syntax required by AWS Cognito. -
Single Quotes Around Values: The values (like
'[email protected]'and'FORCE_CHANGE_PASSWORD') remain in single quotes as per the filter requirements. -
User Pool ID: Make sure to replace
<UserPoolId>with your actual Cognito User Pool ID and configure the<config>appropriately.
Testing the Filter
After implementing the changes, test the code snippet by running it in your Node.js environment. The expected output should return a list of users that match both the specified email and the user status.
Common Errors
-
Invalid Filter Syntax: Ensure that the filter adheres strictly to the syntax requirements set by Cognito, especially concerning the use of quotes.
-
Permissions: Ensure that your AWS IAM role has the necessary permissions to perform the
ListUsersaction on the specified User Pool.
Conclusion
Filtering users in AWS Cognito based on multiple conditions can significantly enhance the user management experience for your applications. By following the correct syntax and structure for your filters, you can streamline your user queries effectively.
Additional Tips
-
Extensive Filtering: You can add more conditions to your filter by using logical operators like
orandnotalongsideand. -
Optimize Queries: If you are frequently querying large user pools, consider implementing pagination or limiting results to improve performance.
For any other issues or advanced use cases, feel free to reach out on forums like Stack Overflow, or consult the AWS Documentation for more detailed guidance.
By implementing the above practices, you should find it easier to manage and filter users in your AWS Cognito User Pools effectively.
References
- AWS SDK for JavaScript Documentation: AWS Cognito Identity Provider
- Stack Overflow: User-generated Query – Original question and user interactions.
